1. 🇪🇸 What Is the Beckham Law?
The Beckham Law is a Spanish tax regime for foreigners who move to Spain for work. Officially known as the Special Regime for Workers Posted to Spain, it allows you to:
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Be taxed only on Spanish income
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Pay a flat rate of 24% up to €600,000
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Avoid tax on foreign income and assets
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Benefit from simplified tax filing
It was designed to attract foreign talent — and famously applied to footballer David Beckham when he joined Real Madrid.
2. 🧑💼 Who Can Apply for the Beckham Law?
To qualify for this regime, you must:
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Move to Spain specifically for employment purposes
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Not have been a Spanish tax resident in the past 5 years
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Have an employment contract with a Spanish company
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Apply within 6 months of registering with Spanish Social Security
It’s often used by professionals, executives, and skilled foreign employees.
3. 📍 Can You Use the Beckham Law in Barcelona?
Yes — if you live and work in Barcelona (or anywhere in Spain), and meet the criteria, you can apply.
This includes:
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Employees transferred from abroad to a Barcelona office
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Newly hired professionals starting a role in Spain
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Certain company directors (with limitations)
Digital nomads and freelancers generally cannot use the Beckham Law — it’s intended for salaried workers.
4. 💶 How Much Tax Will You Pay?
| Income Bracket | Tax Rate under Beckham Law |
|---|---|
| Up to €600,000 | 24% flat rate |
| Over €600,000 | 47% on excess |
Under this regime, you avoid:
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Progressive IRPF rates (which go up to 47%)
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Worldwide income tax
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Modelo 720 foreign asset reporting
This is a huge benefit for high earners or those with global assets.
5. 🗓️ How Long Does It Last?
The Beckham Law is valid for 6 years:
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Year of arrival + 5 additional tax years
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After that, you become a standard Spanish tax resident
The regime cannot be renewed, so long-term planning is essential.
6. ⚠️ Common Mistakes and Rejections
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❌ Applying after the 6-month deadline
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❌ Using the regime as a freelancer or remote worker
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❌ Not meeting employment-based eligibility
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❌ Ignoring residency ties from the past 5 years
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❌ Not preparing tax filings correctly
Once rejected, you cannot reapply — even if you meet the criteria later.
7. 👨⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Can Help in Barcelona
We help foreign professionals and employers apply for and benefit from the Beckham Law:
✔ Eligibility review for expats moving to Spain
✔ Complete Beckham Law application management
✔ Annual tax filings under the flat-rate regime
✔ Dual-country tax strategy (if applicable)
✔ Multilingual support in English, Spanish, French, Arabic
Contact us today to apply for the Beckham Law in Barcelona — and secure major tax savings as a new resident.